Reserves
In addition to the above Reserve Forces, all foreign nations possess a last resource in the shape of a great number of men, many of whom, however, have received no training at all. Being totally unorganized, they could only be used as reserve men to fill the depôts of the organized Forces, and should not rightly be counted in to swell the numbers of available troops.
It may be of interest to glance at the actual forces which Germany could produce for war, as her army may be taken as the best developed example of the modern national armies of Europe.
A. Army of First Line: 23 Army Corps and 14 Cavalry Divisions, with their Depôts.
B. Reserve Army, of Second Line: 48 Infantry Divisions, formed by Cadres taken from the Standing Army in peace, and filled by men who have passed through the Army into the Reserve.
C. Landwehr Army, of Third Line: 30 to 40 Brigades of Infantry—that is, 1 per Division, or perhaps only 1 per Army Corps, of the Standing Army.
Cadres for B and C are formed as follows:
Each Infantry Regiment of the Army in peace forms on mobilization:
(a) A Depôt for itself, to supply drafts.
(b) A Reserve Regiment for B.
(c) 1 or 2 Companies of a “Landwehr” Regiment for C.
Each Cavalry Regiment forms its own depôt with its 5th Squadron, and provides 2 reserve Squadrons for B and C.
Artillery and Pioneers form a few units for B and C.
The Train does the same, but can only supply rudimentary units.